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Red Hat 7.1 RHSA-2001:132-03 Critical: Util-linux Credential Escalation

New util-linux packages are available that fix a problem with /bin/login's PAM implementation. This could, in some non-default setups, cause users to receive credentials of other users.. ` --------------------------------------------------------------------- Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat Security Advisory Synopsis: New util-linux packages available to fix /bin/login pam problem Advisory ID: RHSA-2001:132-03 Issue date: 2001-10-11 Updated on: 2001-10-16 Product: Red Hat Linux Keywords: login pam pam_limits Cross references: Obsoletes: RHSA-2001:095-04 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Topic: New util-linux packages are available that fix a problem with /bin/login's PAM implementation. This could, in some non-default setups, cause users to receive credentials of other users. It is recommended that all usersupdate to the fixed packages. 2. Relevant releases/architectures: Red Hat Linux 7.1 - alpha, i386, ia64 3. Problem description: A problem existed in /bin/login's PAM implementation; it stored the value of a static pwent buffer across PAM calls; when used with some PAM modules in non-default configuration (such as pam_limits), it would overwrite the buffer, causing a user to get credentials of another user. Thanks go to Tarhon-Onu Victor for bringing the problem to our attention, and to Olaf Kirch for providing the patch. 4. Solution: Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to your system have been applied. To update all RPMs for your particular architecture, run: rpm -Fvh [filenames] where [filenames] is a list of the RPMs you wish to upgrade. Only those RPMs which are currently installed will be updated. Those RPMs which are not installed but included in the list will not be updated. Note that you can also use wildcards (*.rpm) if your current directory *only* contains the desired RPMs. Please note that this update is also available via RedHat Network. Many people find this an easier way to apply updates. To use Red Hat Network, launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command: up2date This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate RPMs being upgraded on your system. 5. Bug IDs fixed ( for more info): 51646 - pam limits drops other user privileges 6. RPMs required: Red Hat Linux 7.1: SRPMS: alpha: i386: ia64: 7. Verification: MD5 sum Package Name -------------------------------------------------------------------------- db33b22f50978471a25fd5cc973f8f54 7.1/en/os/SRPMS/util-linux-2.11f-11.7.1.src.rpm d55f6ec42e3c0268f2ab4decb24deb53 7.1/en/os/alpha/util-linux-2.11f-11.7.1.alpha.rpm 2bf1db1cadc50f783220f70aa2b7a09c 7.1/en/os/i386/util-linux-2.11f-11.7.1.i386.rpm 568c4ec61cb9cc0ebd6313fb14d0419c 7.1/en/os/ia64/util-linux-2.11f-11.7.1.ia64.rpm These packages are GPG signed by Red Hat, Inc. for security. Our key is available at: About You can verify each package with the following command: rpm --checksig If you only wish to verify that each package has not been corrupted or tampered with, examine only the md5sum with the following command: rpm --checksig --nogpg 8. References: Copyright(c) 2000, 2001 Red Hat, Inc. `. Critical fix required for privilege escalation flaw in util-linux login PAM component. Urgent update recommended to safeguard user profiles.. red hat advisory, util-linux issue, pam implementation, critical fix. . Severity: Critical. LinuxSecurity.com Team

Oct 16, 2001 •Critical Red Hat